Films, inks and laminates
Materials & Durability
The films, inks and laminates we use for vehicle wraps, signs and wall graphics, and how long each one lasts in Pacific Northwest weather.
- 3M & Avery Dennison cast films
- 3M Certified & UASG Certified
- Printed in-house in Snohomish
- 1-year installation warranty
What materials does Ardor Printing use, and how long do they last?
Ardor Printing prints and laminates vehicle wraps on premium cast films from 3M and Avery Dennison, installs color change wraps in 3M 2080, Avery Dennison SW900 and KPMF films, and uses 3M, Avery Dennison and STEK films for window graphics and window film. In the Seattle area, printed vehicle wraps last up to 8 years on vertical surfaces, color change wraps typically last 5–7 years, and indoor wall wraps often last five years or more.
Why materials matter in Pacific Northwest weather
Seattle's mild, cloudy climate is easier on graphics than places with intense year-round sun, but it brings its own wear: summer UV that fades and dries out film, months of moisture that work into poorly sealed edges, tree sap and pollen, and winter road grime from I-5 and the mountain passes. The film, the laminate and the installation decide whether a graphic lifts in year one or still looks sharp years later.
That's why Ardor Printing, which makes vehicle wraps, signs and wall graphics for Puget Sound businesses, designed, printed and installed in-house since 2012, uses premium cast films for wraps, laminates for protection and its own certified installers on every job.
How to choose: vinyl, fabric or rigid
There's no single best material. Match it to where the graphic will live, how long it needs to last, the weather it faces and how it's mounted.
| Material | Best for | Indoor / outdoor |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl and mesh | Banners, vehicle wraps, window and wall graphics, decals | Both; mesh lets wind through on fences |
| Fabric | Backdrops, step and repeats, stages and trade show displays | Mostly indoor |
| Coroplast | Yard, event and job site signs | Outdoor, short term |
| Dibond and aluminum | Storefront, post and panel and parking signs | Outdoor, long term |
| PVC, foam board and acrylic | Menu boards, displays and lobby signs | Mostly indoor |
Feather flags and pop-up tents are the fabric exceptions: they're printed on polyester made for outdoor use with dye-sublimation ink, so the colors won't crack or peel. For more detail, see our outdoor business signs guide and banner materials.
How long does each product last?
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Printed vehicle wraps
Up to 8 years on vertical surfaces like doors and sides. Hoods and roofs get more sun and last about 3 years.
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Color change wraps
Typically 5–7 years in the Seattle area when installed and cared for properly.
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Cut vinyl lettering & decals
Simple door lettering and spot graphics often last 5 years or more.
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Specialty films
Color-shift and textured finishes look great but usually last 2–5 years.
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Indoor wall wraps
Often five years or more, because they aren't exposed to sun, rain or road grime. Choose a removable film for leased spaces and events, or a permanent one for long-term brand walls.
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Outdoor wall & building graphics
Printed on outdoor-rated film. They face weather and UV, so they last less time than indoor graphics.
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Coroplast yard signs
Typically 1–2 years outdoors, and much longer for short events or indoor use.
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Stickers & decals
Printed with HP Latex inks and laminated, so they're waterproof, scratch-resistant and UV-resistant for outdoor use. High-tack vinyl grips textured or low-energy surfaces like plastic hard hats.
Which vinyl wrap material is best? For vehicles we use cast wrap films from 3M and Avery Dennison with a matching laminate, because cast film conforms to curves and lasts longest outdoors. What is the best material for outdoor signs? It depends on how long the sign needs to last: aluminum or Dibond (aluminum composite) for long-term signs, coroplast for short-term yard and job-site signs, and vinyl or mesh banners for fences and events.
Cast vs. calendered vinyl
Cast vinyl is thin, conformable and dimensionally stable, so it holds its shape in deep curves and recesses without shrinking back. Calendered vinyl is thicker and less conformable, and it can shrink over time, which shows up as lifting edges and pulled-back corners. It works for flat panels and short-term graphics.
- Every Ardor vehicle wrap is printed and laminated with premium cast films from 3M and Avery Dennison.
- Color change wraps use cast films about 3–4 mils thick: 3M 2080 Series, Avery Dennison SW900 Supreme Wrapping Film and KPMF.
- Reflective graphics for emergency, utility and service vehicles use 3M reflective films.
Read more in our guide to how long a car wrap lasts in Seattle.
Laminates and protection we use
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Wrap laminate
Printed wraps are laminated to protect the ink from UV fading and scratches.
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Slip-resistant floor laminate
Floor graphics for gyms, courts, arenas, retail and restaurants get a slip-resistant laminate built for foot traffic.
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Wall laminates & textured films
High-traffic halls, gyms and restaurants can get a protective laminate, and textured films are made for block, stucco and brick.
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Paint protection film
Clear and colored PPF adds a thicker protective layer, and PPF can go over a color change wrap.
Laminates, UV and outdoor life
Sun fades prints over time, even in the cloudy Pacific Northwest, and it's hardest on horizontal panels like hoods and roofs. Outdoor-rated inks, film and laminate slow fading, and on printed vinyl the laminate also protects against scuffs and moisture. Premium cast films cost more than economy vinyl but last longer.
| Product | Typical life |
|---|---|
| Printed cast wrap with laminate | Up to 8 years on doors and sides, about 3 years on hoods and roofs |
| Color change wrap (cast film) | 5 to 7 years |
| Chrome, color-flip and textured films | 2 to 5 years |
| Calendered or economy vinyl | 2 to 5 years |
| Cut vinyl lettering and decals | 5 years or more |
| Paint protection film (PPF) | 5 to 10 years |
| Indoor wall wraps | Often 5 years or more |
| Coroplast yard signs | Typically 1 to 2 years outdoors; about 6 to 12 months in direct sun and full weather |
These ranges assume professional installation and normal care, and garage parking and regular hand washing push a wrap toward the top of its range. Our coroplast signs guide covers how to get the most life out of yard signs.
Cost per year
A premium wrap costs a little more up front but holds up to years of wear, so it helps to compare cost per year, not just price.
| Example | Price | Typical life | About per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 12 x 18 in. coroplast yard sign, ordered online | $18 | 1 to 2 years outdoors | $9 to $18 |
| Door lettering package | From $495 | 5 years or more | $99 over 5 years |
| Compact van wrap plus full wrap design | $4,900 to $5,800 | Up to 8 years on the sides | $980 to $1,160 over 5 years, or $610 to $725 over 8 years |
| Color change wrap on a coupe or sedan | $3,500 to $5,000 | 5 to 7 years | $500 to $1,000 |
The math is price ÷ years: a $3,900 compact van wrap plus $1,000 of design is $4,900, and $4,900 ÷ 5 is about $980 a year. Wrap design is always quoted separately, and hoods and roofs typically need attention after about 3 years, so your numbers can differ. See every vehicle in our vehicle wrap cost guide.
Outdoor signs, banners and portable displays
For signs that stand outside or travel to events, the material and the hardware matter as much as the print. Here is what we use for sun, rain and wind, and what packs up easily.
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Outdoor vinyl banners
13 oz vinyl is our most popular banner material, for indoor and outdoor use. Every banner is hemmed on all sides and finished with grommets or pole pockets.
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Windy locations
Choose 9 oz mesh, which lets wind through, or add wind slits, reinforced corners, webbing or rope to a vinyl banner. Feather flags come with a ground stake for grass and dirt, or a cross base with a water bag or a square base for hard surfaces.
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Double-sided banners
13 oz vinyl, mesh and 18 oz blockout banners can be printed on one side or both. For two different designs, choose 18 oz blockout: a blockout layer between the printed faces keeps one side from showing through the other. Pole banners are always double-sided 18 oz blockout.
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A-frame sidewalk signs
Outdoor-rated UV print with a matte finish, on a frame you can fill with sand or water so it stays put.
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Rigid and yard signs
Rigid signs get full-color UV printing on aluminum, Dibond, acrylic and PVC. Coroplast yard signs typically last 1–2 years outdoors. Foam board signs are for indoor use only.
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Overlaminate for outdoor signs
On Dibond signs we either print straight onto the panel and seal it with a gloss UV coat, or print on white vinyl and add a clear overlaminate. The overlaminate shields the ink from UV fading and scratches and lasts longest outdoors, so it's the better choice for storefront, building and post and panel signs that stay up for years.
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Portable displays
Retractable banner stands pull up in seconds, and tension fabric displays slip over a lightweight frame and pack into a carry bag. Feather flags can come with a carry bag too.
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Perforated window film
Printed vinyl with tiny holes: from outside you see a full-color graphic, and from inside you can still see out. It adds advertising and daytime privacy to storefronts, restaurants and offices without blocking the view. See our window graphics and perforated film.
Wind and rain in the Pacific Northwest
Rain itself won't hurt a properly installed wrap; the trouble is water sitting in poorly sealed seams and edges for months. On signs, rain works into edges and mounting points, so panels need finished edges and banners need to be secured so water doesn't pool.
Wind pulls on panels, banners, frames and fasteners. Mesh banners let air through, vinyl banners need the right grommets, spacing and tie-downs, and coroplast signs on fences need grommets or zip-tie holes so the wind can't tear the corners. Bring feather flags inside during storms and heavy wind, and store them dry.
Care and maintenance
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First washes
Wait at least 72 hours after installation, then hand wash every week or two with a pH-neutral car soap. See how to wash a wrapped car.
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Car washes and pressure washers
Choose touchless over brush washes, and keep a pressure washer at least 12 inches from edges and seams.
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Sap, droppings and fuel
Clean them off as soon as you can, and soften sap with warm, soapy water instead of scraping it.
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Matte and satin wraps
Never wax or polish them, and use products made for matte finishes. See our matte wrap cleaning guide.
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Walls, signs and tents
Clean wall wraps with a soft cloth and mild detergent, store reusable coroplast signs flat and out of the sun, and let a tent canopy air dry fully before it goes back in its bag.
Our standards
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Premium cast films
We print and laminate vehicle wraps on premium cast films from 3M and Avery Dennison, and those films carry their makers' own warranties.
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Laminate where it counts
Wraps and stickers are laminated against UV fading and scratches, Dibond signs can get a clear overlaminate, and floor graphics get a slip-resistant laminate.
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Color you can check
You approve a proof before anything prints, and our printers use color management to keep brand colors consistent. For color-critical work, ask for printed color swatches or a test print before the full run.
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Certified crew, one roof
Our own 3M Certified and UASG Certified installers work under one roof with our designers and printers, at our 30,000-square-foot production facility in Snohomish.
Printed in-house, on equipment we own
Stickers are printed with HP Latex inks, rigid signs are printed in full color on UV flatbed printers, and custom shapes are contour cut on our Zünd digital cutter. Wraps are installed by our own 3M Certified and UASG Certified team, trained and tested to manufacturer standards. When removed following 3M's guidelines, wraps come off without damaging the paint underneath.
Customers notice. Snohomish Tree Company has worked with Ardor for about seven years and is on the fourth edition of its truck wraps.
Warranty and fixes
Every installation we do is backed by a 1-year limited installation warranty, and under our We Fix It policy a field installer reviews any problem with something we produced and gets you a solution within 24 hours. If a print doesn't match the proof you approved, we reprint it, and reinstall it if we installed it, at no cost. Film defects are covered by the film makers' own warranties, but damage from brush car washes, pressure washing close to edges or harsh chemicals isn't covered. A lifted corner or small tear is quick to fix, so call or send us photos as soon as you see it. Read the full warranty and We Fix It policy.
What do customers say about Ardor Printing?
5.0 239 Google reviews“Every wrap they’ve done for us has lasted a long time and paid for itself very quickly! Can’t recommend them more.”
“Ardor was very professional and responsive. They worked with us until the graphics were exactly the way we wanted them. Installation was quick and look great.”
“Took them my concept, provided a sample graphic and color and in short order had it mocked up and sent me pictures of samples. So very quick and easy!”
“Ardor Signs has been very easy to work with. the staff is always accomodating and efficient. We certainly would recommend them.”
Materials FAQs
What are car wraps made of?
Car wraps are made of thin vinyl film with an adhesive backing. For full wraps we use cast vinyl, which conforms to curves and recesses without shrinking back. Printed wraps are printed on premium cast films from 3M and Avery Dennison and laminated to protect the ink from UV fading and scratches, and color change wraps use solid-color cast films about 3–4 mils thick from 3M, Avery Dennison and KPMF.
What vinyl does Ardor Printing use for vehicle wraps?
Ardor prints and laminates vehicle wraps with premium cast films from 3M and Avery Dennison, and uses 3M reflective films for reflective graphics. Color change wraps are installed in 3M 2080 Series, Avery Dennison SW900 and KPMF films.
How long does a vehicle wrap last in Seattle?
A professionally installed printed wrap lasts up to 8 years on vertical surfaces like doors and sides, and about 3 years on hoods and roofs. Color change wraps typically last 5–7 years in the Seattle area with proper care.
What's the difference between cast and calendered vinyl?
Cast vinyl is thin and conformable and holds its shape in curves and recesses. Calendered vinyl is thicker, less conformable and can shrink over time, so it's better for flat panels and short-term graphics. Ardor uses premium cast films for vehicle wraps.
Will a wrap damage my paint?
No, when the paint is in good condition and the wrap is removed following 3M's guidelines. Peeling clear coat, rust or old graphics need to be addressed before a wrap goes on. We remove old wraps and old graphics, and if a panel gets damaged later, we can repair the wrap by re-wrapping that panel or section.
How long do wall wraps last?
Indoor wall wraps made with quality vinyl often last five years or more. Outdoor wall graphics use outdoor-rated film and have a shorter lifespan because they face weather and UV. High-traffic areas can get a protective laminate.
What films do you use for window graphics and window film?
Ardor installs commercial window graphics and window films from 3M, Avery Dennison and STEK, matched to the job, whether that's printed storefront graphics, frosted privacy film or solar film.
What banner or sign works best in a windy spot?
A 9 oz mesh banner lets wind through, and you can add wind slits, reinforced corners, webbing or rope to a vinyl banner. For feather flags on hard surfaces, choose a cross base with a water bag or a square base; on grass and dirt, use a ground stake. A-frame signs have a frame you can fill with sand or water so they stay put.
Which signs are made for outdoor use?
13 oz vinyl and mesh banners, coroplast yard signs, A-frame signs with outdoor-rated UV print and feather flags all work outdoors. Coroplast yard signs typically last 1–2 years outdoors. Foam board signs are for indoor use only.
Ask us which film fits your project
Tell us what you're wrapping or signing and where it will live, and we'll recommend the right film and laminate with your free quote.
- Premium cast films from 3M and Avery Dennison
- 3M Certified and UASG Certified installers
- Printed, laminated and cut in-house
- 1-year installation warranty
Prefer to talk? Call (425) 629-0796 · Mon–Fri 7am–5pm